Filter



July 28, 1936. E. F. WEMHOENER FILTER Filed May 17, 1954 Patented July 28, 1936 UNIT-ED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILTER.

Emil F. Wemhoener, St. Louis, Mo. Application May 17, 1934, Serial No. 726,040

11 Claims. (Cl. 183-44) This invention relates generally to filters and more particularly to filters for filtering out or separating moisture, oil, and other liquids fromr air or other gaseous substances.

5 In this type of filters a disk of porous material, such as carbon, carborundum, and the like, is interposed in a pipe connection in the path of the gas to be filtered. This ltering medium has to be cleaned at regular intervals. In most l filters this is accomplished by forcing, under pressure and in a direction reverse to the normal flow, a cleansing medium, such as water, through the ltering device, thereby cleaning the filtering medium and carrying away the impurities lodged l on the inlet side of the filtering disk. This method is expensive and slow and in many cases is not satisfactory or practicable. It is expensive,

as it takes the device out of service for a long period of time and requires additional pipe connections. In other cases the entire device has to be dismantled to provide access to the filtering disk or to permit the removal thereof.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a lter device comprising a casing having an inlet head and an outlet head and an intermediate tubular member interposed therebetween and having its ends held inV fluidtight connection therewith, said tubular member or casing having fixed therein a filtering disk of porous material through which the uid to be filtered is caused tov travel, said casing being removable from between said heads for cleaning purposes without' disassembling said heads or disturbing the connections thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filter device having an intermediate removable portion containing the filtering medium, whereby said portion can be removed and replaced by a clean one without disassembling said device or disconnecting the connections thereof so that the change of filters can be accomplished in a short period of time and with a minimum amount of labor. m

A further object of the invention is to provide a filtering device comprising a pair of spaced-apart end members, a tubularintermediate member adapted to have its ends enter in fluid-tight engagements with said end members,

and containing a filtering medium of porous material through which the fluid is caused to pass in traversing said device, and means for clamping said members in fluid-tight relationship with each other, said means being operable to release said tubular member and permit removal thereof without disturbing said end members or the connections of same.

Additional objects of the invention are generally to improve upon lters of the class described. 5

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- 10 Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved iilter device and its connections.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical cross section through the same. y

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross section taken on 15 une a-a of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a' horizontal cross section taken on line 4 6 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective detail view of the removable filtering medium. A 20 My filter can be used advantageously in all instances where it is desired to use air or other gaseous iluid free of moisture, oil, dust or other impurities. Thus in painting establishments employing spraying outfits it is very important that 25 the air utilized for. spraying be free from moisture as the presence of the latter in the air causes blisters on the painted surfaces. Also in the manufacture of certain gases it is desirable to y obtain gas free of impurities. 30

The lter device of my improved construction can be easily cleaned in the line and when the ltering medium is saturated with moisture, oil, or lled with other impurities, said filtering medium can be easily removed and a new one in- 35 serted without dismantling the device or removing it from its connections.

Referring by numerals to the-accompanying drawing, I0 indicates a lter device comprising an inlet end member II,Van outlet end member 40 I2, and an intermediate or lter member I4. The inlet member II which is provided at the lower end of the device is formed with a central opening I5 in which is screw-seated an inlet connection I6 by means o! which air or other fluid to be 45 filtered is supplied. This inlet or lower member I I is formed with a cylindrical upward extension' I'I, thereby forming a chamber I8 between the in termediate or filter member I4 and the lower end of the device. The upper end of extension I'I is 50 provided with an annual groove I'Ia and four outwardly and laterally Aextending lugs I9. These lugs are formed integral with the upper end of said cylindrical extension II and are each formed with a bore 20 disposed parallel with the axis of 55 ing provided with a. bore 25a.

the filter. Two of the lugs are arranged in diametrically opposed relationship with each other, while the other two lugs I9a, although larranged in opposed relationship with each other, are oifset to one side of the center of the device, as indicated by x-x in Figure 3.

'I'he upper or outlet member I2 is provided with a central screw-threaded bore 2| which receives an outlet connection 22. A chamber 23 is thus formed between intermediate member I4 and the upper end of the device. The underside of member I2 is formed with an annular groove 24 which is of the same diameter and cross sectional di- 'mensions as the groove I1a of member I1. Four lugs 25 are formed integral with member I2 and extend laterally therefrom, each of lsaid lugs be- Lugs 25 are so spaced that the bores thereof are axially aligned 'withfthe bores of the corresponding lugs I9 ofthe lower member II, one pair of opposed lugs 25b` being offset to one lside of the center of the device to correspond with the offset lugs 4I,9a.of the lower I member.

" The intermediate member I4 Ithe shape of sappen-ended cylinder.' chey emisor wmchjnt in 'fthegrooves I1a and 24, respectively, ofinembers 1I I :and I2. A gasket 26 is arrangedin each groove I )to provide a seal between the ends of member I4 and the corresponding end members.` Afdisk 21 of porous material, such as carbon, carborundum,

` and the like, is arranged in section or member I4.

The thickness of thisY disk is less than the length' of member I4 so that a clearance exists between each end of said disk and the corresponding end of section I4. This disk is preferably secured within member I4 by suitable cement. In order to provide a more eiiicient securement of the disk in said member I4 the interior surface of the latter is formed with two or more grooves 28 which receive the cement and insure a more secure bond between the cement and member I4.

The end members II and I2 are` secured together by bolts 29 which extend through lugs 25 of the upper member I4 and have their lower screw-threaded ends screw-seated in lugs I9 of lower member I I. By tightening said bolts, members II and I2 can be drawn together and clamp therebetween said intermediate member I4 so that the ends of the latter are in fluid-tight engagement with said members II and I2. 'I'hree of the bolts 29 are provided with expansion coil springs 30 which are interposed between the respective lugs. The ends of these three bolts are offset as indicated at 29a so as to prevent removal of same from said lugs. The fourth bolt 29h is j not provided with a coiled spring and is removable from itsposition in the lugs. Thus when it is desired to remove the intermediate section I4, the three first-mentioned bolts are loosened and the fourthv bolt 29b is removed. Coiled springs 3| serve to raise the upper member I2 upwardly a suitable distance'to permitthe removal of member I4 laterally from its position between the lugs from which the bolt `29h has been removed.` y

By placing certain of the lugs to one side of the axis of the device, the action of the springs engaging. these offset lugs is to raise the forward end of member I2 slightly higher than the rear end sov that the -intermediate'member I4 can .readily removed and inserted in position. When nected or disturbed.

l An open-ended tubular member 31 provided in its wall with longitudinally disposed corrugations 38 is inserted in the chamber I8 and fits snugly within the cylindrical portion I1. The inwardly presented crowns of corrugations 38 are each provided with a. plurailty of spaced-apart apertures 39. Some of the air discharged into chamber I8 vpasses through these apertures into the vertically disposed chambers formed by corrugations 38. The moisture or oil on' other liquid impurities contained in the air will collect on .the corrugated surface of member 31 so that a portion of the moisture will be separated from the air before the y latter reaches the iilterl of member I4.

The kair or other fluid in entering the device thelcylindrical portion through the nozzles 35. These being curved impart to the air whirling motion. Thus the air is caused toA impinge on the corrugated surfaces of the insert 31. Some of the air passes through the apertures 39 into the corrugations 38 and then upwardly. -The moisture contained in the air collects on the 'through the inlet connection is` discharged into corrugated surfaces and drains' downwardly.

The air then passes upwardly in the cylindrical portion I1 and traverses the filter member 21. Such moisture or oil still contained in the air is collected on the surfaces formed by'the interstices in said porous member 21 so that only air leaves said member and enters the chamber formed by outlet member I2.

When suiilcient moisture or oil collects in member 21 so that the latter is unable to absorb any more, said member has to be removed and re-v placed with a new one,- which is clean and dry. The old or saturated filter member can now be cleaned and dried, whereupon it is ready for use.

By virtue of thelparticular construction of my device, this replacement of the member 21 can be easily and quickly accomplished by removing bolt 29a and loosening the remaining bolts, 29. Due to the action of springs 30, this automatically raises the upper member I2 so that the latter inclines forwardly or toward that end from which bolt 30a has been removed. Member I4 containing filter 21 can now-be raised` to bring the lower end of said casing I4 clear of the groove I1a so that saidA vand all of the bolts, including bolt 29h, are

tightened to provide a fluid-tight joint between the ends of member I4 and the end members II and I2. Thus it will be observed that the end members II and I2 are-not removed and that the connections I6 and 22 thereof are not discon- The moisture collected inthe lower end member I I is drained 'therefrom by means of a pipe 48 which is screw-threaded in an opening 40a formed in said end member II. :A valve 4I closes said drain connection. Preferably'inlet connection I6 is provided with 'apressure gauge 42 and a shut-oil".via.lve 43, while. the outlet; connection is provided with a pressure gauge 4 4jand a shuto3 valve 45. The valves are used to shut of! the connections when removing the filter member I4. The gauges indicate the pressure in the line and the differences in the pressure registered by the gauges will indicate a range of fouling or accumulation of dirt on the iilter.

Thus the filter member I4 can be easily re-l moved and replaced without the use of any special tools and without the services of an experienced mechanic. It is not necessary to disengage the end members I0 and I2 from their respective pipe connections so that very little time is lost in replacing lter members I4.

Valves 43 and 45 provide ready means for shutting oif the connections when the filter is to be changed' and gauges 42 and 44 provide efficient means for ascertaining the condition of the lter.

While I- have shown and described herein the preferred form of my filtering device, it is obvious that various changes'in the construction and arrangement of parts can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. A nlter comprising a pairof spaced-apart end members, each of which is provided with an annular seat, one of which has an inlet and the other an outlet, a tubular member removably arranged between said end members' and having its ends engaging the seats thereof, a illter disk of porous material xed within said tubular member in spaced apart relation with the ends thereof, a plurality of bolts located exteriorly of said tubular member for securing said end members to said tubular member, one of said bolts being detachable to permit the removal of said tubular member in a lateral direction from between said end members, and an expansion spring arranged on each of the other bolts and engaging said end members for spreading said members apart when said bolts are loosened.

2. A filter comprising a pair of spaced-apart end members having an inlet and an outlet, respectively, each end member being provided with anannular seat, a tubular member removably disposed between said end members arid having its ends seated in the respective seats, a disk of filter material secured within said tubular meinber in spaced-apart relation with the ends thereof, a plurality of bolts engaging said end members and located exteriorly of said tubular member for securing said end members to the ends of said tubular member to form a fluid-tight connection therewith, and expansion spring means interposed between said end members 'for spreading them apart when said bolts are loosened, one of said bolts being removable to permit the removal of said tubular member in a lateral direction from between said end members.

3. A i'llter comprising an inlet end member, an inlet connection secured thereto, an outlet end member, an outlet connection secured thereto, an

open-ended tubular member removably interposed between said end members, a mass of filter Amaterial secured within said tubular member, a

4. A nlter comprising an inlet end member, a

plurality of outwardly projecting lugs formed integral therewith, an outlet end member, a plu-- rality of lugs projecting outwardly therefrom, a

tubular member interposed between said end members coaxially therewith, a plurality of bolts located exteriorly of said tubular member for engaging said lugs and forcing said end members in huid-tight engagement with the ends of said tubular members, said bolts being operable to release said end members and permit removal of said tubular member in a lateral direction, a plurality of expansion springs interposed between said end members to cause them to be spread apart and release said tubular member, and a disk of porous filtering material secured within said tubular member in spaced-apart relation with the ends of said tubular member.

5. A lter comprising an inlet end member, a plurality of outwardly projecting lugs formed integral therewith, an outlet end member,l a plurality of lugs projecting outwardly therefrom, each of said end members being formed with an annular seat, a gasket in each seat, a tubular member interposed between said end members coaxially therewith and having its endsl seated in the respective seats, a plurality of bolts ar ranged exteriorly of said tubular member and engaging said lugs and forcing said end members in fluid-tight engagement with the ends of said tubular member, said bolts being operable to release said end members and one of said bolts being removable to permit the removal of said tubular member in a lateral direction, and an expansion spring arranged on each of the other bolts between said end members for causing them to spread apart when said bolts are loosened and release said tubular member and a disk of porous iiltering material secured within said tubular member in spaced-apart relation with the ends i permit removal of said tubular member in a lateral direction, and expansion spring means interposed between said end members to cause the latter to spread apart when said bolts are loosened to facilitate the removal of said tubular member.

'7. AA filter comprising an inlet end member, a plurality of outwardly projecting lugs formed integral therewith, an outlet end member, a plurality of outwardly projecting lugs formed integral therewith, an open-ended tubular member interposed between said end members, a mass of filter material secured within said tubular member, a plurality of bolts engaging said lugs and forcing said end members into huid-tight engagement with the ends of said tubular member, said bolts being operable to release said end members and one of said bolts being removable to permit removal of said tubular member in a lateral direction, and an expansion coiled sprir';

'arranged on. certain of said boltsbetween said end members and in spaced-apart relationship with said removable bolt to cause said end members to spread apart when said bolts are loosened so as to release said tubular member and facilitate the removal thereof.

8. A filter comprising a lower end member having an upward cylindrical extension, an inlet connection leading into said extension, an upperv end member, an outlet connection leading therefrom, an open-ended tubular member interposed between said end member and said cylindrical extension, a mass of filtering material xed within saidtubular member, means for securing said end membersv and said tubular member together in uid-tight engagement with each other, and a plurality of discharge nozzles disposed horizon- .tally within said extension and connected to said inlet connection, said nozzles being curved in one direction to impart to the fluid discharged therefrom whirling motion in said cylindrical extension.

9. A filter comprising an inlet end member having a cylindrical upper extension, an outlet end member, an open-ended tubular member removably interposedv between said outlet end member y and said cylindrical extension, means for securing said members together in huid-tight engagement, a disk of stone-like porous material arranged in said tubular member in spaced-apart relation with the ends thereof, an inlet connection extending into said cylindrical extension,

and aplurality of discharge nozzles disposed horiend member,l an open-ended tubular member removably interposed between said outlet end member. and said cylindrical extension, a disk of stonelike filtering material arranged in said tubular member, means for securing said members totallyl within said extension andvcon'nected to saidl inlet connection, said discharge nozzles being gether in fluid-tight engagement, an inlet concurved in one direction to impart whirling motion y to the iiuid discharged within said extension so as to separate by centrifugal motion moisture contained in said gaseous fluid preliminary to the passage of said fluid through said filtering disk, a drain connection leading outwardly Vfrom said inlet end member, and longitudinally disposed corrugated surfaces arranged peripherally within said cylindrical extension for collecting the moisture contained in the gaseous fluid discharged from said nozzles. I

11. A lter comprising a lower end member having anupward cylindrical extension, an inlet connection leading into said extension, an upper end member, an outlet connection leading therefrom, an open-ended tubular member interposed between said upper end member and said cylindrical extensioma. mass of filtering material ilxed within said tubular member, means for drawing said upper end member and said cylindrical extension toward each other and clamping said tubular member in fluid-tight connection therewith, a plurality of discharge nozzles disposed horizontally within said cylindrical extension and connected to said inlet connection, said nozzles,

being curved in one direction to impart to the gaseous iiuid discharged therefrom whirling moe tion wherebyl moisture contained therein is partially separated therefrom by centrifugal action, and a. lining member inserted in said cylindrical extension and provided with longitudinally disposed corrugations for electing the collection of the moisture.

EMIL F. WEMHOENER. 

